Desk



Nov. 3, 1925.

A. M. ACHENBACH DESK Filed Feb. 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet .1

R. m N m w AARON M- ACHENBACH. BY

ATTORNEYS.

A. M. ACHENBACH DESK Nov. 3,1925- I I 60, i

Filed Feb. 12, 1 23 gsnens-simz a my! r02. AARON n. AC'flENBAC/I.

Patented Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED TA AT ,oFricE.

DESK.

. ApplicationfiledFebruary 12, 1923. Serial No. 618,565.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, A-ARON M. AGHEN- EACH, a citizen of the UnitedStatesfresiding at Piedmont, countyrof Alameda, and State of California,h'ave invented new and useful Improvements in Desks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to desks or tables.

The object of this invention is to provide a desk or table top which can be quickly and easily shifted for the purpose of changing its angle. In carrying out this object I provide slidable and pivotal connections for the top, which, when the top is pulled towards the operator cause the top to assume a steeper pitch. When the top is moved in the opposite direction it tends to assume a horizontal position. During these changes the fulcrum remains at the same elevation, so that the effective height of the top does not vary. Likewise the connections are such as to frictionally hold the top in any of its different positions, so that set screws or other fasteners may be dispensed with.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a desk top structure embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the top removed.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig: 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

In the accompanying drawings, I show a base member or support 10 fitted with para].- lel stationary guide rails 11. These rails are formed to snugly fit in dove-tail grooves formed in the bottom of guide blocks 12. These guide blocks are practically semicircular in shape and are rigidly connected by a horizontal member 14. This member is formed with a vertical extension 15.

A desk top 16 is provided. The under side of this top is fitted with a latch plate 17 which is formed with a key slot 18.

This slot extends parallel to the guide rails and engages a screw 19 fixed in the base 10. The head of the screw is larger than the body portion of the slot, as it is intended that the screw serve as a guide member for the desk top. The engagement of the screw and slot also constitutes a pivotal connection between the top and the base. The underside of the top is connected to the vertical extension 15 of the brace member .14 by hinges 20. This hinge connection is located at approximately the center ofthe desktop.

Forward movement of the top is limited by the screw 19 and the slot 18. Likewise, excessive rearward movement of the top is prevented by stop members 22 mounted at the ends of the guide rails 11.

The desk top is fitted with a sliding clamp 21, which may be employed to maintain papers or other matter in position on the desk top.

In operation, assumingthat the top is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, if it is desired to adjust the top to a greater angle of inclination, it is only necessary to shift the top towards the operator. Due to the hinge connection between the guide blocks and the top, forward movement of the latter will impart forward movement to the guide blocks, and consequently raise the rear end of the desk top. Although the screw 19 and the key slot 18 form a sliding connection between the base and top, they also constitute a pivotal connection, causing the top to pivot at the point where the screw is located. Therefore, the top may be shifted to assume practically any desired degree of inclination.

In actual practice it has been found that the friction between the various parts is sufficient to maintain the top in any set position or angle of inclination with relation to the base.

While the form of the invention illustrated is in the nature. of a supplemental desk top, it is understood that the present invention may be embodied as a permanent part of a desk or table structure.

It is also to be understood that various changes in the construction of the device may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a flat base, a desk top disposed above said base, parallel guide rails fixed to the upper surface of said base, members interposed between said desk top and said base, andslidably engaging said rails, hing connections between the under side of said desk top and said members, said hinge connections occurring substantially at the center of said desk top, said members being normally disposed at the rear of the structure, and a sliding and pivotal connection between the support and said top at the front of said support, said connection comprising a slotted plate arranged beneath the desk top, and a member fixed to said support and extending through said slot and slidably engaging said plate, whereby the desk, when shifted relative to the support, will assume various angles of inclination.

2. A device of the character described coinnections occurring at substantially the center of the desk top, whereby when the desk top is shifted with relation to the support it will assume various angles of inclination, without changing the effective height of the center of the desk top.

AARON M. AOHENBAOI-Ii 

